We stubbornly cling to the meritocratic idea that talent should be a determining factor, especially when it comes to writing. Your ability to break a big story, doggedly follow a tip or score a career-making interview should be based on grit, determination, a can-do attitude and a killer ability to craft a lede. And maybe it still is, but, increasingly, being given the opportunity to demonstrate that talent depends on having the economic means to work cheap, which turns out to be very difficult to afford.

Story length: 1,040 words

Access the full story here.